When it's still cool outside, and the trees are gloomy and without leaves, forsythia bushes flare up like a bright yellow flame. An unpretentious plant is a real primrose among woody species. The modern variety of forms and varieties allows it to be used even in regions with cold winters.
Forsythia: a brief description
The genus of plants got its name in honor of W. Forsythe (Scottish botanist), who served as chief gardener at Kensington Palace. He brought it to Europe from China. The second name of the genus is Forsythia, it combines 14 species of shrubs and small trees belonging to the Olive family. All of them are highly decorative and lush flowering, and therefore are actively used in the landscape design of sites, parks.
The height of the shrub is on average 1-3 m, less often it reaches 6 m. The bushes are sprawling, wide, the diameter reaches 2 meters. Forsythia intermediate, European and other species have bright yellow bell-shaped flowers.
The natural habitat is broken, which indicates the antiquity of the entire genus of plants. ForsythiaEuropean is found in Albania and the territory of the former Yugoslavia. And all other varieties grow in East Asia (Korea, Japan, China).
The use of forsythia in gardening
The plant is very popular in Europe, where it can be found in many parks and gardens. Forsythia is valued for its high decorative effect. The lush flowering of the bushes begins in early spring, as soon as the snow melts. The bare branches are covered with a dense cover of small flowers, and only after they begin to wither do the leaves appear. Looks especially impressive in the company of coniferous evergreen trees and shrubs. Widespread use is also associated with the undemanding of the shrub to the soil, the most important thing is that they be well-drained. Forsythia intermediate can grow both in the sun and in partial shade.
Shrubs are practically not susceptible to diseases and various pests, and this also distinguishes them favorably from the rest. Some species are quite cold-resistant and, when sheltered for the winter, may well grow in the conditions of central Russia.
Forsythia intermediate: photo and description
Sometimes it is also called Forsythia medium. This is a garden hybrid obtained by crossing forsythia greenest and drooping. Deciduous shrub has a considerable size and grows up to 2-3 meters in height. It has a spreading crown. The shoots are combined, some of them are erect, while others are drooping (arc-shaped). The bark is light golden yellow, young branches have a greenish tint. The leaves are large, from 5 to 12 cm in length, lanceolate-ovate, the part near the petiole is whole, and the edges are serrate-toothed. Forsythia intermediate is covered with leaves only after the flowering period, and then retains juicy greens for a long time. In autumn, the bushes turn purple, yellow or even purple. The flowers are large and collected in several pieces (up to 6) in each bud on last year's shoots.
The flowering period is April-May. The hybrid is quite frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures as low as -29°C. In the middle lane you will need shelter for the winter. This forsythia has been introduced into culture since 1880. At the present stage, it has many highly decorative varieties with large flowers, which are widely used compared to the original species.
Forsythia intermedia Linwood gold
Tall shrub (2-3 m high) with spreading crown. Light-requiring, the flowers have a light yellow tint. The variety has an average frost resistance (up to -26°C). Large flowers cover the bare branches for two weeks in May, after which the leaves appear, turning yellow and purple in autumn. Before winter, the shrub needs to be covered, and the branches should be pinned to the ground. Forsythia intermedia Linwood Gold, which is extremely easy to care for, is very often used in urban landscaping of parks, as it is resistant to polluted air.
Forsythia Vic End
Deciduous shrub blooms before all other varieties of forsythia intermediate. The height of the plant is from one and a half to two meters, and the shoots tend to the ground as they grow and spread to the sides. The flowers are reminiscent of the Lynwood variety, blooming in large numbers, giving the impression of a large yellow flame in the garden. Forsythia intermediate Vik End lends itself well to shearing and shaping a bush, therefore it is widely used by landscape designers both in group and in single plantings. Grows in almost any soil that has enough moisture, from alkaline to acidic.
A variety of medium cold resistance (up to -26°C). Does not tolerate summer drought, so regular watering is required.
Forsythia Goldzauber
A very popular and sought-after variety of German selection, it has perhaps the highest resistance to cold and winter frosts. Therefore, it certainly deserves attention. Flowering continues for three weeks (from mid-April). It reaches a height of 2 meters, and the formation of a bush and crown ends only in the eighth year after planting. Long, drooping branches create a simply charming picture. The flowers are large, golden-yellow in color with a delicate pleasant aroma. Forsythia intermediate Goldzauber prefers sunny places with well-moistened and fertile soils. The crown can be subjected to decorative pruning, the plant tolerates it well. In hot seasons, it needs additional watering. Bright emerald foliage turns golden in autumn.color red.
Planting forsythia
You can plant and transplant shrubs in early spring or autumn, but so that the plants have time to get stronger before the first frost. Forsythia prefers areas protected from the wind, sunny or in light partial shade of the garden. It is undemanding to the soil, but it will grow better on slightly alkaline lands. Therefore, when preparing the soil, add a little wood ash. Leave the distance between the bushes at 1.5 meters.
The planting hole for the plant should be 505050. At the bottom, be sure to pour expanded clay, broken brick or crushed stone with a layer 15-20 cm thick, and then a layer of sand. Good drainage will be helpful. After planting, the ground around the bush must be compacted and watered abundantly.
Forsythia intermediate (Lynwood, Goldzauber, etc.), planted in the spring, will require regular care in the future. But autumn shrubs will need more attention. Firstly, it is necessary to mulch the near-stem circle. For the winter, the plant must be covered, choose a material with good breathability, so that during possible thaws, the flower buds on the shoots do not rot.
Forsythia care: basic rules
Growing forsythia is quite simple and not much different from caring for other shrubs in the garden.
- Watering is required only in dry summers, its frequency is 1-2 times a month, 10-12 liters for each bush.
- Loosening the soil - to the depth of the bayonetshovels and weeding after watering, then mulching with dry soil or compost.
- Fertilization - three times a season. In early spring, humus is laid out near the trunk and then watered abundantly, in April complex mineral fertilizer is applied (60-70 g per 1 square meter), then after flowering it is recommended to pour Kemira-universal solution.
- Young intermediate forsythia, like all other species, is only subject to sanitary pruning. Adult bushes ennoble in the summer, after flowering. At the same time, old and dried branches are cut off, leaving 4-6 cm stumps. This stimulates the formation of young shoots. If there is a need to rejuvenate an old bush, then cut off all the branches at least 2/3 of the entire length. But such a measure can be applied no more than once in 3-4 years.
